im really looking for some help, we recently brought a maremma puppy, for our twin daughters.
Trouble is this puppy who is 12 weeks is really agressive, she bites us and the girls, and when we get up to move away she chases and bites our trousers!
she is scaring us, should we see a behaviourist? 

please help, any help at all
Sarah Johnson

There is no need, this is normal puppy behaviour. Something she will grow out of. Keep her calm and when she starts biting  give her a toy to chew instead.

Regards, John

And may I suggest if your girls are youngsters that they try not to "scream" as little girls do because the pup will not be able to distinguish that screaming means no unless you say "No"

A supply of toys is always useful to distract the pup.

Karen

A behaviourist is probably overkill, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to get in touch with a trainer who runs a GOOD puppy school, and get lots of advice on all the normal things puppies do, and how to cope with them in a family situation :)

Is she your first pup?
Mouthing in pups of this age is not aggression, it is normal pup behaviour.Please do not worry that you have an aggressive dog. I would recommend that you take your pup (and your children) to a good local training class, so that you can get moral support from other pup owners, and get advice on how to successfully discourage the mouthing. Also most books on puppy rearing contain info on this.(try "the perfect puppy" by Gwen Bailey) There are also many threads on this board that cover it. Your breeder will also be able to offer advice. Lastly, if you are an inexperienced pup owner, the best thing I can suggest is that you join this site as a member...its completely free, and if you join you can reply to us! With a new puppy there are going to be hundreds of questions to ask!
Cathy, Delilah (afghan, 2 years), Zorro (afghan, 6 months)

My Bullmastiff pup was an absolute nightmare at 12 weeks of age, we all had our ankles , feet and hands bitten. Trying to explain to my 10 yr old daughter not to scream and flap her arms and legs about while the pup was on the back of her trousers was harder though !
Eventually the standing still, folding our arms and looking away from her (the pup) made her realise that we didnt react to her biting us. It did take a while, but as all other people have said it is not aggression and they do grow out of it.It takes alot of patience, especially for the kids because all they want to do is scream and shrug them off, but it all paid off in the end. My Bullmastiff is now a 14 month old softy.
Angie.

Hi Sarah

Suggest you also talk to your puppy's breeder if you are worried - most Maremma breeders are good at supporting new owners. As people have said it is normal for puppies to bite and chase and you need to teach her that it is not acceptable. It doesn't mean she will be aggressive as an adult. Join a good training class and follow the great advice given already about resolving puppy biting. Make sure the puppy has plenty of rest (they can become snappy if they are tired - and like children they can become a bit hyper when they really need to sleep - "time out" at that stage is best).

She will come through this stage - you need to be consistent, patient and calm.

Best wishes
Janet

Your pup is simply being a pup - it is normal behaviour in any pup, but they do need owners, at this stage, who know what to do with a pup.

I would suggest that you had a long talk with your breeder, and also get a book(s) on raising a pup.

All the family need to train a pup, so get the girls involved.

If you are truly scared, I would think again whether this is the right dog for you and her for you, and contact the breeder. 

sounds like perfectly normal puppy behaviour to me!! , i have 7 here with me in their last week before going to their new homes ( :( ) and every morning they all do that to me :D  its just excitement and they want to play, like the other posters have said, have a toy handy and give the pup the toy to play with and then the girls can move away, my 2 youngest kids (5 & 8) run through the kitchen when they first get up because the pups are so excited to see them they all jump up at once :D but the kids learn and never scream, shout or get upset.
Good luck with your puppy

Emma
xxxx